[Koda Kumi] The 205th Thread - angeL & monsteR

[kaled kalil]

I like streaming music services, even tho for some artists that I really like I keep their music on my PC as well, for times when I'm offline (I know you can download music on spotify, but I often forget to do so). It is a lot more convenient for sure, and one of the things I like is that I don't have to be bother looking around to find download links, for jpop/kpop itsn't much a problem because of JPS, but for everything else it's not an easy task.

Also because it's a way or support the artist when I can't buy the physical copies, which is most of the cases lately.

Thank you for the scans, Rainbow141!

[Gustavopc]

^ Pretty much the same for me. I purchase physical copies from my ultimate favorites, then I download my fav's discographies but in general I listen to everything on Spotify. Streaming is an incredible way for me to discover new artists and genres, opposed to my iTunes times when I kept on listening to the same 3 or 4 albums a whole month. And listening on Spotify instead of a downloaded file is a way to support artists that didn't exist before. I can see these three types of media being my pattern for the next decade of my life or so.

Kumi published a new playlist: KK COLLABORATIONS. Nothing outstanding here, but a nice mix of songs. (For one second thought it was a new out works kind of release when I saw the tweet until I read "プレイリスト" lol)

[kaled kalil]

XXX feat Kumi is finally available on Spotity on SOULHEAD's page btw.

[_XXKK_]

Three minds stand for DEEP,SEXY&COOL.

[Rainbow141]

^ Underrated song. Both songs of hers with XXX as the title are, I think, lol.

I can understand the benefits to both artist and listener of streaming, I think for me it's just that I don't listen to much other than J-Pop lately, and apart from Kuu it isn't much else. I just got into LiSA again, but I also bought her new album (mostly because YesAsia's shipping is ridiculous that I just threw in another album to get free shipping lmao, and her CD+Bluray was ridiculously cheap).

I'm also like Karen, I have this weird thing where I need to have the files somewhere, on CD or hard drive. I'm the type of person who seriously considered getting an iPod when they made them again lol. Now especially that Google Play Music has been replaced by devilspawn YouTube Music >.<;;;

Ahem. Anyway. I had a kind of off-topic, slightly on-topic question - does anyone know of any other interviews besides Sora Senpai or even MCs that have subtitles, English or Japanese? My Japanese is super bad and she also talks super fast, even if they're subs in kanji I can run them through a translator.

[Ayu_Love]

Originally Posted by kaled kalil

Also because it's a way or support the artist when I can't buy the physical copies, which is most of the cases lately.

This. I always felt bad when I had to download a lot of music I liked, but at least I know I'm supporting them at least a little bit when I listen on Spotify.

I think, as someone else mentioned, artists seem to make more of their money on tours, DVD/blu-ray sales and merchandise nowadays.

[thinkingoutloud89]

They mostly always have been - they are more of a device for the tours.

[kaled kalil]

For those who are still wondering about the CDL stream situation, Ayu is also doing her CDL stream on Thumva and people who watched other concerts previously said that it works fine outside Japan in the thread.

http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/showth...15#post3332315

@Rainbow141 Besides her first Arashi VS episode (2011) I don't remember seeing her interviews subbed, ever. Most of the time when she's doing a regular TV show, like Sukkiri, they usually sub in japanese some important things that she's saying, as pretty much every variety TV show in Japan, so maybe this is an option for you.

[Rainbow141]

^ Great news! I have to check the time difference and my work schedule, I may actually be working NYE =__=;;

Ah hmm, you're right! I was watching a bit of her SMAPxSMAP episode the other day and they had Japanese at the bottom! I think I was too wow'd by everyone's adorable behavior to realize they were subtitles? I have noticed that. Thanks, kaled! ♥♥♥ And thank technology for image-to-translation capability. o__O

[Corvina]

Kuu shared that its the first performance of this song she performs really soon.
So this means most probaly Run with how elegant she was dressed.

[kaled kalil]

She will sing RUN next.
--

The performance was alright, very good vocals except for the distracting "watch me Lun" every single time, it's the same reason I don't like WOML performances with "wUlk of my life". She looks very good but I don't the outfit at all.

[KuuXAyu-fan]

Originally Posted by kaled kalil

She will sing RUN next.
--

The performance was alright, very good vocals except for the distracting "watch me Lun" every single time, it's the same reason I don't like WOML performances with "wUlk of my life". She looks very good but I don't the outfit at all.

Do you have a link for the performance?

[kaled kalil]

Here it one link https://twitter.com/aktms_r/status/1337444387446386690 someone recording the TV.

Vocal-wise I think it's better than the record from the CD, she's much more controlled.

[Corvina]

This was a pretty perfect performance for me, English included.

[Rainbow141]

Oh my god I could cry, I love this song so much. I don't care how Engrishy it is, the lyrics made me cry when I read them for the first time (I had a translation commissioned). The message resonates with me.

[Ayu_Love]

Originally Posted by Corvina

This was a pretty perfect performance for me, English included.

That live was beautiful. <3 I'm so happy she performed 'RUN'. I was a little worried about the high notes, but she controlled her voice super well!

[melissalove]

amazing, she also looked very pretty!!.

[KarenPang]

RUN performance from this week's Buzz Rhythm 02 uploaded on bilibili

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Hi4y157cX

[MKAyu]

Originally Posted by KarenPang

CDs wouldn't go obsolete anytime soon just like vinyls which some people still buy to this date

So while physical music releases' sales go down , streaming will go up and that's the new reality in the current ever changing music industry

Kuu related wise , I think the 1 thing that still kept her going on in the industry for so many years is the fans that have supported her through the good , bad & worst times

I've been interested in how Avex is (finally) starting to meet that reality in the past two years with new artists FAKY (the current incarnation is only a couple years old) and Kalen Anzai. Avex doesn't sell their music, doesn't even make albums with them! They make individual singles available for free or digital and streaming, and I think there's two reasons for that: it costs much less, and they know a full album wouldn't sell.

But they're pushing the girls themselves. Kalen started with a few digital singles AND an ad campaign with MAC cosmetics. Another single and a TV show. Another single and an ad campaign with color contacts. Another single that fronts a new TV drama. With each single and each publicity stunt, she gains more followers (144k in just a year and half on Instagram), which means in turn she can sell more stuff.

FAKY, meanwhile, has crap music sales, but they trend more and more. They just did an ad with SK II. One member, Hina, now has 350k Instagram followers. She's been on dating shows, done ad campaigns for hair care. She and another member, Mikako, have modeling campaigns this year, which gets them more attention, and in turn, their new singles are getting more views on YouTube and more streams. Their music won't make money for Avex ... but I'd be surprised if the girls don't. I think the music has become a promotional vehicle.

It's only been a couple years of this sales model, and I'm curious to see if it will make enough to be worth it to Avex in a few more years post-pandemic.

Legacy acts like Kuu and Ayu can rely on loyal fans, live tours, and goods to make plenty even after they're "over." It's actually pretty sweet to be a "fallen" star, except some people look down on them. They make loads of money, it's just that the new music isn't where it's coming from. Kuu is doing her new skincare line and her new contacts at the same time as L + R for a reason--each will boost sales for the other, no need to rely on just one.

Kuu is doing great. Sales decline is inevitable, almost no artist escapes it. It isn't the end of an artist like her with a loyal following.

[KarenPang]

Part 2 of Sora's Senpai Club interview they did with Kuu will be released later tonight 10pm Japan time on YouTube

Today at 10PM JST ep.2

She will be answering to fans' questions via "Notice me Senpai Gacha"

I hope you enjoyed watching the first ep.Eyes

https://twitter.com/imsora_desu/stat...64828598550529